Tom Cruise Faces Protests Amid Annual Scientology Gathering in Sussex

Tom Cruise has arrived in Sussex by helicopter for the annual International Association of Scientologists gathering, an event expected to draw protests from former members critical of the organization. The three-day event is taking place at Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, the Church of Scientology's British base and former home of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

Protesters plan to demonstrate amid allegations of mistreatment and unpaid labor within the movement, which critics describe as a cult. A group marched on Thursday holding a banner reading "It's time to end abuse in Scientology" and signs stating "Your doubts are valid." Last year, the church reportedly attempted to drown out activists by playing loud bagpipe music.

Alex Barnes-Ross, a former Scientologist who joined the organization at age 15 in 2011, is organizing the protests. He has accused Scientology of making followers work 18-hour days, seven days a week with minimal pay, and assigning menial "hard labor" for infractions. The movement has denied these allegations.

The International Association of Scientologists gathering typically attracts up to 7,000 attendees from Scientology churches worldwide, including participants from the US, South Africa, and Denmark. Cruise, who became involved with Scientology in the 1990s, is among the high-profile attendees.

Saint Hill Manor, built in 1792, served as Scientology's worldwide headquarters from 1959 until 1967. It is also reported that Cruise used a wing of the estate as a sanctuary during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this week, Mid Sussex District Council approved plans for the organization to construct a temporary car park for 683 vehicles and a large events area with marquees for the gathering. The permission allows for the use of fields as a reinforced car park for up to 50 days annually, with full capacity used for seven days a year. Three temporary event marquees can remain for up to 84 days annually.